Coupled-mode analysis of coupled multiple microstrip lines

The dispersion characteristics of two nonidentical coupled microstrip lines and N identical coupled microstrip lines are analyzed using the coupled-mode theory combined with Galerkin's moment method in spectral domain. In this approach, the solutions to the original coupled microstrips are approximated by a linear combination of eigenmode solutions associated with the isolated single microstrip, and the reciprocity relation is used ro derive the coupled-mode equations. The coupling coefficients are given by the simple overlap integrals in spectral domain between the eigenmode fields and currents of the individual microstrips. It is shown that the numerical results are in very good agreement with those obtained by the direct Galerkin's moment method over a broad range of weak to moderately strong coupling.